[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 55 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E687-E688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
YOUTH ART MONTH
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HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY
of rhode island
in the house of representatives
Friday, March 24, 1995
Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, we will soon celebrate
Youth Art Month, an opportunity for our Nation to recognize the special
role art can play in enriching the lives of children.
Artistic expression is one of the things which distinguishes us as
human beings. By offering children the opportunity to express feelings
and thoughts through creative expression, we offer them the opportunity
to reach their full potential. While all of us may not have the talent
of a DaVinci or a VanGogh, we have potential to express and enrich
ourselves through art. Children in particular can learn much from
education in the arts. They can learn about themselves and about the
world around them.
What President Kennedy said of poetry is true of the value of all
forms of artistic expression, ``poetry [is] the means of saving power
from itself. When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him
of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of a man's concern,
poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When
power corrupts, poetry cleanses. For art establishes the basic human
truth which must serve as the touchstone of our judgment.''
For these reasons, I commend Youth Art Month for the way it is
enriching the lives of children today across America. I hope all
Americans will take a little extra time next month to appreciate the
contribution art makes to our national life.
[[Page E688]]
A TRIPLE-A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
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HON. BILL RICHARDSON
of new mexico
in the house of representatives
Friday, March 24, 1995
Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, as the chaos of major league baseball's
labor dispute continues to unfold, the spirit of baseball is alive and
well in minor league baseball and the 1994 Pacific Coast league
champion Albuquerque Dukes are ready for the new season.
Regardless of the outcome of the major league strike, the Albuquerque
Dukes will continue to set the pace for well-managed professional
baseball businesses in the country. The Dukes boast 8 straight years of
300,000-plus in attendance, a record average gate for 1994, a waiting
list for advertisers, and competitive teams every season.
The Dukes' general manager and president Pat McKernan personifies the
enthusiasm and devotion that prevails in the hearts of all baseball
fans. By combining old-fashioned business sense and community support,
Pat McKernan provides one of the most affordable family entertainment
offerings in New Mexico.
I recommend to all my colleagues the following article about Mr.
McKernan and the Dukes which appeared in the Albuquerque Business Times
on March 6, 1995. I believe all Members will be encouraged to see that
baseball and business can coexist for the good of the community and the
sport.
Alb.'s Booming Baseball Biz
(By Michael G. Murphy)
Albuquerque.--Considered a gem--if not the gem--of Triple-A
diamonds in the rough, the Albuquerque Dukes are buffing the
bleachers, lifting new light towers, and making ready for
'95.
Sometimes hidden by its on-field sports success, the local
slice of America's pastime ranks year after year as one of
the most prolific and well-managed professional baseball
businesses in the United States.
This year--strike or settlement in the majors--stands to be
yet another winning season in terms of gate, advertising, and
general bang for entertainment buck.
The Dukes' boast eight straight years of 300,000 plus in
attendance, a record average gate for '94, a waiting list for
advertisers, not to mention competitive teams every season.
Business and the support of the community has been
wonderful, said President and General Manager Pat McKernan.
Economic impact is not a useful phrase for him (``They make
those numbers up, don't they?'') but reluctantly, has led the
charge. He has been flanked by Ron Nelson, president of the
Uptown Association, and Cathy Leyendecker, board member of
the Mark Twain Neighborhood Association.
Leyendecker has a different view for future projects, but
sided with Salazar and Nelson in a uniform front he will
point to the parent organization of the minors--the National
Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL)--which
does dabble in financial figures.
According to a recent NAPBL model, an average Triple-A club
generates about $13 million a year in everything from hotels,
meals, travel, local goods and services, scouts, umpires, and
salaries.
Now, that is a SWAG or Scientific Wild Ass Guess in NASA
parlance, said Neil Thueson, an associate planner with the
city of Albuquerque who also teaches a UNM market research
class in sports administration.
``It had some validity because it is based on kind of a
model, but it does not apply to any single city.''
And that is one reason the city is embarking this year on
its own SWAG that will measure the impact of the Dukes all by
themselves, Theuson said.
There is one given: the Dukes provide one of the most
affordable family entertainment offerings anywhere, and it
doesn't happen accidentally.
``McKernan deliberately does keep the prices down so that
it can appeal to the family. He really does understand what
he is doing. He understands the difference between the types
of pricing policies.''
Thueson said he has tried over the years to explain
McKernan's expertise and success to UNM athletics, and how it
could benefit the university.
``We talked to them about overall profitability and tried
to get them to understand . . . but they never would.''
McKernan, the barrel-chested and bearded business and
baseball guru prefers interesting conversation, which doesn't
include talk of pricing policies, corporate management, or
even how the Dukes will do this year (``I don't know,'' he
says).
McKernan likes to ask your age, get an answer, then add,
``Oh, you just look old.'' He also enjoys inquiring, ``Your
second marriage?'' and how you managed to screw up such a
promising job elsewhere to end up here.
But the Dukes' resident optimist, wearing a ``what, me
worry?'' expression, did talk about how just about anything
that could happen with the strike should benefit the
organization, and all minor league ball for that matter.
If the strike continues without replacements, it's the only
game in town.
If the strike continues with replacements, it's arguably
going to be a better brand of the only game in town.
And if the strike is settled, any residual fan resentment
at the major league level--live, on TV or radio--can only
boost Dukes' attendance, and the listening and occasional
viewing audience.
It is a win-win-win situation, McKernan said.
There is an ``understanding'' among baseball owners, major
league players, and the minor league players to make sure
minor leaguers don't endanger their future careers by getting
in the middle of the strike, McKernan said.
Management has no intention of ``twisting any arms'' to try
to get Triple A players to become replacements, he said.
``They understand the dilemma. And we understand the
dilemma far more than the players' association.''
If the strike continues, they will report to the Dukes,
probably right before the first game, April 6.
There is one possible negative, and that has to do with the
chance that Congress, in screwing around with baseball's
federal anti-trust exemption, will accidentally repeal a
portion that allows major league financial support for the
minors.
Still, McKernan, whose photo should be right next to laid-
back in your Webster's, has not been losing any sleep. As he
said, it is not something he can do much about, so he is not
going to worry about it.
His cluttered office includes the Optimists Creed on his
door, a Far Side calendar on his desk, a fish tank, and a
photocopied motto that the ``floggings will continue until
morale improves.''
The Dukes enjoy phenomenal community support. Last year,
when they announced a ticket price increase of $1, local
media published the story with variations on the theme of
``it's about time'' and still one of the best entertainment
values in town, a bemused McKernan said.
It was the first price hike in eight years.
In about four weeks, the minor league boys of summer will
strut their stuff in what promises to be an excellent and
perhaps record-setting year.
Oh yeah, and the bottom line looks good again for the
successful business that is the Dukes.
``We do all right . . . we survive in spite of ourselves,''
McKernan said.
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